Finishing a career with back-to-back state championships was just one of several accomplishments for this slugging third baseman. Fairbanks may have been just one standout on a Scarlet Hawks club that featured enough talented players to fill a school bus, but her dynamic performance certainly stood out. Fairbanks, who hits right-handed, mashed at a .489 clip this season, improving on her .476 average from her junior season. Fairbanks also hit six home runs and seven doubles. She was the editor in chief of the school yearbook. She’s playing this summer for the Central Mass. Thunder and will play softball and major in sports medicine at Wheaton College.

ALISSA KARJEL

Sophomore, Hopkinton

Coaches generally look to these lists of all-stars as a reminder of the players who tortured their teams over the past four years. There’s no such luck for rival Tri-Valley League coaches with this selection. Karjel took the TVL by storm in her second varsity season, winning league MVP with a devastating 1-2 combo of pitching dominance and hitting distinction. Karjel went 12-2 with a 1.26 ERA, and was a slugger who hit .467 with three home runs and 21 RBIs. That led the Hillers to a 17-4 record and a league title. Karjel is attending the New England Leadership Conference and plays for the Polar Crush Gold College Showcase team.

MOLLY McGUIRE

Senior, Marlborough

The softball record book at Marlborough High might as well have McGuire’s signature in it, she’s made such an impact in it. The hurler set school marks in strikeouts for a season (181), strikeouts for a career (530), career ERA (2.11) and wins (47). This year the senior went 17-7 with a 1.51 ERA. Luckily for the other coaches in Midland A, McGuire will not be taking to the circle for the Panthers next spring. Instead she’ll be at Bridgewater State, where she plans to study psychology. In her spare time, McGuire likes to watch the Red Sox and Bruins.

NICOLE REED

Senior, Bellingham

A starter since her freshman year, Reed became the rock of the Blackhawks, a consistent force that led Bellingham to another postseason appearance. "We’re going to miss her terrible," coach Dennis Baker said. Reed, a shortstop, led Bellingham in hitting with a .540 average and had 12 doubles, up from nine as a junior. She was also solid defensively. Reed also played field hockey and was third in her graduating class, as well as the class vice president. She heads to Worcester in the fall to attend Holy Cross, where she hopes to play softball.

SHANNON SMITH

Senior, Milford

The most dominant career of a softball player in the Daily News area ended the only way that seemed right — with a shutout in the Div. 1 state championship game to clinch a second straight title. Smith ate up batters for four years, whether they came from Mid-Wach A rivals or in the new Hockomock League. Smith finished her career with a state record 1,219 strikeouts, including 358 this season. She allowed one earned run for an ERA of 0.04. Smith and the Scarlet Hawks were 51-1 over the last two years. The dominant right-handed will atttend the University of Kentucky.

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JURNEE WARE

Senior, Hudson

This strong right-hander ended her softball career on the right note. The pitcher, who doubles as a national anthem singer, went 22-2 with 227 strikeouts and a 1.07 ERA to earn a berth on the Super Team. In addition to her accomplishments in the circle, Ware hit .304 with three home runs. Under the guidance of first-year coach Mary Beth Ryan, Ware led the Hawks to a 19-1 regular season that included an undefeated mark in Midland B and a berth in the sectional semifinals. The multi-talented Ware is also a member of the chorus at Hudson High.

First Team

MORGAN COX, senior, Valley Tech

In her final season playing in Upton, Cox did her part is leading the Beavers to a 15-4 record and near the top of the Colonial Athletic League. Cox hit .579 and had a six-RBI game against Nashoba Tech in May. She was named a CAL all-star.

LEXI HARVEY, junior, Natick

A captain, Harvey was the MVP of the Herget Division. A lefty hitter who can slap, drag and power hit, Harvey batted at a .619 clip with five home runs, 19 RBIs and nine stolen bases. She was a first-team Bay State Conference all-star for the third straight season.

KARA KNIGHTS, senior, Hudson

This captain captured Midland B MVP honors after a spectacular season that included a .565 batting average, five home runs, 26 RBIs and 25 runs scored for the talented Hawks. A second baseman, Knights also played basketball for the Hawks and was a member of the National Honor Society.

RACHEL KUHLMAN, junior, Bellingham

A Super Team selection a year ago, Kuhlman batted an impressive .450 with seven home runs in her third varsity season. A contributor since her freshman year, she’s rock solid for the Blackhawks and has committed to play softball in college at Presbyterian in South Carolina.

LINDY KYGER, senior, Holliston

The Tri-Valley League’s leading hitter at .568, Kyger’s most impressive feat may have been her stellar play at first base, the position she converted to this season from the outfield. At first reluctant, she thrived as a leadoff hitter this season. She will attend the University of South Carolina.

ERICA McBRIDE, junior, Hopkinton

A captain for the Hillers, this catcher racked up plenty of clutch hits in Hopkinton’s 16-5 season. When teams would pitch around Super Teamer Alissa Karjel, McBride often made them pay as the cleanup hitter. Coach Dennis Baker Jr. said McBride — who also plays soccer — was also very solid defensively.

MADDY PARMETER, sophomore, Assabet

This underclassman stepped up when the Aztecs needed her most. Parmeter pitched a three-hitter in the Div. 3 state championship game as Assabet downed St. Mary’s (Lynn) 5-2 to win the school’s first state title of any kind. Parmeter also batted over .500 in a breakout season.

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BELLA PICARD, senior, Valley Tech

Before taking her spikes to Philadelphia to play for Saint Joseph’s, Picard took one more circuit of the Colonial Athletic League. The uber-dangerous Picard hit around .500, which was down from her other-worldly junior season when she almost never got out. It was good enough to take the Beavers back to the playoffs.

JESS PROIA, junior, Framingham

This pitcher led the Flyers’ resurgence with her tremendous performance in the circle. Proia went 16-3 with 161 strikeouts in 123 innings, allowing just 18 earned runs for an ERA of 1.02. She pitched a perfect game vs. Milton. A first-team all-Bay State Conference performer, Proia was the Most Outstanding Female Athlete at Framingham.

KATIE RUFO, senior, Marian

A two-year captain, Rufo was the MVP of the Catholic Central League to wrap up a tremendous career in Framingham. A four-year starter, Rufo batter .636 and had a 2.87 earned run average. A three-time league all-star, she’ll play softball in college at Elon University in North Carolina.

Coach of the Year

ERIN POWERS, Framingham

The Flyers hadn’t won the Bay State Conference in a decade. Powers led them to that title and back to the playoffs, compiling an 18-2 regular-season record. Although the Flyers lost in the first round, their future looks bright, especially with First Team all-star Jess Proia returning for her senior season.

The Daily News Softball All-Star Team was selected by staff writer Dan Cagen with input from area coaches and the Daily News staff. All text by Cagen. This concludes the Daily News’ presentation of spring all-stars.